Yes, it's true that along with other investors, I bought a hotel from Mr. Giancana 44 years ago. He financed it on a purchase mortgage agreement because no lender wanted anything to do with him. Neither did I, but buying him out was the only way I could see to get him out of Rosemont.

As the new mayor, I was working hard to eliminate all unsavory elements, including mobsters, garbage dumps and brothels. I knew Rosemont could have a bright and promising future, and we have.

This year Rosemont celebrates its 50th anniversary. I have been mayor all of that time and I am proud of what has been achieved. Rosemont has the ninth-largest convention center in the country. We are home to professional and collegiate sports teams. We offer world-class entertainment at the Allstate Arena and Rosemont Theatre. On average, we host 50,000 visitors a day who come from all over the globe.

Our small town of 4,000 returns more than a billion dollars a year in total economic activity to the state  probably one of the highest per capita returns in the country.

Did I buy a hotel from Sam Giancana? You bet I did. Because of it, Rosemont today is a major contributor to Illinois' economy and a great place to call home.

Donald E. StephensMayorRosemont

McD's on track in China

Crain's story was a real disservice to its readers, because it wasn't even close to telling the real story ("McD's slips in China," March 6).

First, McDonald's Corp. is extremely popular in China, and our customers have responded enthusiastically to the choice and variety on our menu, as well as our unique restaurant experience. In fact, we are the only quick-service restaurant in China that has such a wide range of menu choice and variety for both adults and children.

Sure, we sell a lot of hamburgers. But the fact is, we sell even more chicken across China. We have a strong lineup of chicken offerings that are very popular with our customers, as well as Sharing Meals that were developed to meet the cultural relevancy of the Chinese family  a shared eating style.

We are on track with our aggressive China growth plan, which will see the opening of our 1,000th restaurant there as the Summer Olympics begin in Beijing in 2008. McDonald's China will grow responsibly, meaning our development strategy is about quality locations, not quantity of locations. Furthermore, McDonald's was the first restaurant company (and the first for any company) in China to open a full-scale, high-tech drive-through  a preview of convenience to come for millions of customers as China introduces more and more cars to its highways. McDonald's is uniquely positioned to outperform any of our competitors in this service.

Jeff SchwartzCEOMcDonald's ChinaShanghai, China

Define the pledge

Most of the candidates for governor have made a "no tax increase" pledge. What that means: "I pledge not to help the students whose school districts will still be unable to pay for a minimally adequate education. I pledge not to address the huge gap in per-pupil funding between high-poverty and low-poverty school districts. I pledge not to restore the services for children and families that have been lost over the past several years to cuts. I pledge not to relieve over-burdened taxpayers by shifting some of the school tax burden to the state. I pledge not to relieve the tax burden on low-income working families by making the tax system fairer."

Alexander E. SharpExecutive directorProtestants for the Common GoodChicago

In its endorsement of Forrest Claypool for County Board president, Crain's praised incumbent President John H. Stroger Jr. by saying, "he repaired county finances early in his tenure (March 6)." Crain's cites the AA bond rating secured on his watch. The choice of words inadvertently and gratuitously impugns his predecessors in office.

I believe the record will show that Mr. Stroger's immediate predecessor, Richard Phelan, laid a good foundation by: obtaining the county's first-ever clean audit opinion; eliminating all short-term debt, along with its $5-million annual interest burden; implementing a new sales tax that for the first time provided the county with an income-elastic alternative to the property tax, and securing a Medicaid pact with the state that vastly increased Medicaid funding.

Woods BowmanFormer chief financial officerCook County, 1990-94Chicago

Things not to do

I found it very disturbing when I checked my e-mail for Crain's "10 things to do this weekend" and the first thing that popped out was a night out at a gay bar (ChicagoBusiness.com, March 3). I clicked on the link and found the most disgusting lineup of Oscar statues wearing thongs and AIDS ribbons. Sick!

Now, I don't have anything against gays in general, but I do not believe in their movement of trying to normalize their lifestyle. As a Christian man, I am appalled at the fact that the Chicago Gay Men's Chorus will feature "The 10 Commandments: The Musical" in April, just in time for Passover and Easter. How disturbing is that? That is sacrilegious in its own right.

Here is a group of people who want to jam their lifestyle down everyone's throats, try to "normalize" their behaviors, yet are always segregating themselves. They have gay bars, gay theater, gay restaurants, gay cruises and even the Gay Games. I know Crain's is trying to be inclusive, but these are the most "exclusive" people in the world.

Glenn LoweNiles

Fees have changed

When I became a director of Pahang Rubber Co. Ltd. in Honolulu in June 1958, the director fees were the equivalent of a $20 gold piece per meeting. No yearly retainer ("Boardroom bonanza," Feb. 20). When I became a director of Selama Dindings Plantations Ltd. in Honolulu in May 1959, the director's fee at this company was $50 per meeting. No yearly retainer.

Martin GlotzerChicago

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